The complexity of organic farming requires that farmers have a very high level of knowledge and skills, but the knowledge-sharing about farming techniques is limited. The new project aims to boost knowledge exchange between organic farmers, advisers and researchers.

The thematic knowledge network OK-Net Arable has three specific objectives. First of all, the project partners want to create a European network of farmer innovation groups representing the best examples of co-innovation by farmers and researchers. The farmer groups are both going to exchange experiences in the area of arable crop production and test innovative end-user and education material developed in the project.

The second objective is to digest and synthesize the considerable knowledge available from the reservoir of scientific and practical knowledge in the area of organic arable farming. A subsidiary goal is to identify the best methodology in learning and knowledge exchange. Based on this the education and end-user material will be developed.

Last but not least, OK-Net Arable will create a platform for knowledge exchange across Europe, unique in organic farming. The platform will offer evidence-based advisory material as well as facilitating farmer-to-farmer learning. It is going to be a virtual meeting place for farmers, advisers and researchers that would otherwise not be able to meet. Based on experiences with existing knowledge platforms and input from the other project partners, AU/ICROFS will develop this open-access online knowledge platform.

The platform will be an open-access online knowledge platform featuring an extendable tool box for depositing end-user and education materials, and also a discussion forum for multi-actor communication.

Follow the progress of the project

In the beginning of June, OK-Net Arable launched a project website. Interested stakeholders can follow the progress of the project and learn about how the project is going to improve the exchange of knowledge about organic arable cropping.

The project OK-Net Arable started in March 2015 and will last for 3 years.OK-Net Arable thematic network funded through Horizon 2020 aims to improve the exchange of knowledge among farmers, farm advisers and scientists to increase productivity and quality in organic arable cropping all over Europe.